found in a house with his arms tightly wrapped around their son trying to protect him as hurricane sandy swept them both away. he was a former marine. that's a hero, too. we don't build statues of these people and may not even notice them, but they don't care about that because their actions are not calculated to gain recognition or reward. what they do is who they are. all over the world right now people are putting this principle into action and saving lives. these heroes speak one language. the language of humanity. there are different kinds of heroes around us, those who in that unforgiving minute rise to the occasion when the moment calls for it, and they really are hereios that wake up every morning and humbly change the world. you think you got what it takes to be a hero. we all asked ourselves that question. i think we do. because these heroes, they are you. just ordinary people until they are here heroes. and we need those heroes more than ever. >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome anderson cooper. >> good evening, everyone and welcome to cnn heroes, "an all-star tribute" the